Catholic friend leaving the Church :(

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Uknowhoo

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Hi everyone.

Im kinda in a pickle- Im a high school senior and today I was talking to a freshman about my faith. She’s also Catholic, but sadly only by name 😦

We spoke, and the poor thing didn’t even know what a rosary was. Worst of all- she’s studying with the Jehovah’s Witness. I tried explaining that she should stick with Catholicism, because it’s the Church Christ established. She didn’t say much, but later told me a bit of her life story.

When her mom found out she was studying with the JWs, she (mom) yelled at her. I told her that it wasn’t right for her mom to yell at her, but that I would understand her disappointment. She didnt say much about her dad, except that he lives in another city,.Right now my friend is living with her older sister- who’s pregnant with her 3rd child and was recently divorced.

As you can tell, her life has been harsh. I told her I’d make her a rosary (after explaining what it was, of course) and she smiled and said she’d love one.

Though it saddens me to think that she might join the JWs and will never know the truth 😦

I’d really like to help her, but how? Im planning to give her a guide on how to pray the rosary along with it. I don’t want to feel like im forcing my faith down her throat, so how can I approach this?

(To add to this, Im not the best Catholic example. I wouldn’t say im the worst either, but overall, I wouldn’t say im a good Catholic. I don’t want to be/sound like a hypocrite. Any advice?)

Sorry if it was a little long,
but thanks for reading this far and God bless!
 
Uknowhoo said:
Hi everyone.

Im kinda in a pickle- Im a high school senior and today I was talking to a freshman about my faith. She’s also Catholic, but sadly only by name 😦

We spoke, and the poor thing didn’t even know what a rosary was. Worst of all- she’s studying with the Jehovah’s Witness. I tried explaining that she should stick with Catholicism, because it’s the Church Christ established. She didn’t say much, but later told me a bit of her life story.

When her mom found out she was studying with the JWs, she (mom) yelled at her. I told her that it wasn’t right for her mom to yell at her, but that I would understand her disappointment. She didnt say much about her dad, except that he lives in another city,.Right now my friend is living with her older sister- who’s pregnant with her 3rd child and was recently divorced.

As you can tell, her life has been harsh. I told her I’d make her a rosary (after explaining what it was, of course) and she smiled and said she’d love one.

Though it saddens me to think that she might join the JWs and will never know the truth 😦

I’d really like to help her, but how? Im planning to give her a guide on how to pray the rosary along with it. I don’t want to feel like im forcing my faith down her throat, so how can I approach this?

(To add to this, Im not the best Catholic example. I wouldn’t say im the worst either, but overall, I wouldn’t say im a good Catholic. I don’t want to be/sound like a hypocrite. Any advice?)

Sorry if it was a little long,
but thanks for reading this far and God bless!
Click to expand...
First, YOU ROCK!! Thanks for sharing your faith with others, what a blessing you are to the Church! The beautiful Bride of Jesus, His Church.

Advice, keep sharing, I find it really special, when you remind your friend that she is not alone, and that together you can continue this journey. Both of you can “make time” to really research what both religions teach and the history, Knowledge is Power. Pray and ask Our Blessed Mother to guide your every step along with the rest of the family! Saints are REAL people in our history and a book of a Saint would be great for both of you to read together. To understand other religions is Wisdom.

You are doing great just being a friend.

Study is the foundation of Joy and understanding is Grace in action

smiles your way…
 
First, surf around the CA web site shopping pages (or visit a locat Catholic book store) and get a book or booklet about the JWs. Have her read it, because they teach a lot that is not biblical, and their bible has been modified to suit their teaching. Not good. They are friendly, sincere folks, but their faith is just wrong. Their unique ideas appeared nowhere on earth before their fairly recent founding. That’s a little weird, in my book. They are similar to the Mormons, inasmuch as they are “adventist” in their outlook, meaning they are concerned with the end times. But, they do not believe in the Divinity of Christ. Big problem. Get the book quickly and give it to her. Once they convert, it almost takes a de-programmer to get them out. The group uses cult-like tactics (shunning) to enforce membership.

As for you, get a copy of The Essential Catholic Survival Guide, which you can buy right on this site: shop.catholic.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/p-F0607A.html?L+scstore+cpff2122fff0fbf0+1237337695
It is excellent. They have a 2 for 1 deal, so you might be able to get one for her, too. A great deal for both of you!

Christ’s peace.
 
On a personal note - invite your friend to go to Church with you. If you have youth groups in your parish, invite her to go to meetings with you. Let her see the joy and happiness of other young people her own age about their faith. She will pick up on its vibrancy. So much can be done by a group of young people her own age showing enthusiastic love for their faith. Make this available to her. You will both be in my prayers.
Deacon Ed B.
 
You are definitely doing the right thing so far, just keep it positive.

I’m a bit displeased when I see Catholics leave the Church for Christian churches that at least share some of our beliefs; I really get disappointed when I see a Catholic thinking about leaving the Church for the Witnesses; some in fact would say they’re not even Christian (they deny the Divinity of Christ, as another said, also the immortality of the soul, and they still follow the blood prohibition in the Jewish dietary laws).

A “Bible study” with the Witnesses is hardly a “Bible study”; it’s a study of a book of Witness teachings with selections from the Bible that appear to support what they teach.

If your friend were a longtime Witness I might point to the Witness organization and the fact that it’s only a human organization that has been wrong before (as I’ve said before); but in this case I might point to the Bible and your friend can see the Catholic teachings in the Bible.

It’s almost comical; in the Witness text I read when I was in that situation, time and again they’ll quote the one Bible passage that seems to support their beliefs; then they’ll point to a bunch of passages that seem to support the Catholic/mainstream Protestant position and explain why every one of them doesn’t really mean what it seems to say.
Uknowhoo said:
When her mom found out she was studying with the JWs, she (mom) yelled at her. I told her that it wasn’t right for her mom to yell at her, but that I would understand her disappointment. She didnt say much about her dad, except that he lives in another city,.Right now my friend is living with her older sister- who’s pregnant with her 3rd child and was recently divorced.
Click to expand...
The Witnesses’ approach is very well planned and they have planned for the possibility that a family member might not like her studying with them. They’ll say that Satan is behind the opposition. In fact they teach that Satan is behind the mainstream Catholic/Christian religions, similar to criminals hiding behind legitimate businesses. So it’s best you move on this quickly before she reaches the point in her studies where she believes the Catholic Church has no authority.

Good luck.
 
I would suggest you get a copy of this book (you can buy it on Amazon even):

**Answering Jehovah’s Witnesses
**by Jason Evert

And/or

**Beginning Apologetics 2: How to Answer Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons (Paperback)
**by Frank Chacon (Author), Jim Burnham (Author)
 
👍 Thank you for being a witness to this poor girl. It is evident that she is lacking much from the family aspect of her life. Just your simple act of sharing your faith with her will go a long way.

I also suggest taking her to a youth group or teen bible study. The biggest reason Catholics fall away is lack of evangelization and understanding.
:eek:
Don’t worry that you are not the “best Catholic” example. Just you willingness to share your faith and your concern for her proves a lot.
:blessyou:
 
May God reward you for sharing The Faith. Here is a prayer that you can pray for your friend:
Dear Lord,
You became man, suffered and died to win salvation for all souls. Look graceously on the soul of my loved one who has drifted away from you and the faith. Grant (name your friend) your grace to see the error of his/her ways and return to the fold in your care.
Teach me to stay close to (name your friend) during this trying time and strive to convert him/her by action and prayers more than by words that may antagonize.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust you to do everything to bring my loved one back to you. Amen.

Ps. You may want to invite her to go to Mass with you. God Bless.
 
Thank you for your help and prayers everyone 🙂

I’m a little hesitant about giving her a book (of any kind) because… well, she’s not the person who likes to read. She’s not very mature, still only about 14 or 15. I was thinking of giving her something from Lifeteen.com. You think that will do?

Please keep praying for both of us.
Thanks again and God bless every one of you 🙂
 
Deacon_Ed_B said:
On a personal note - invite your friend to go to Church with you. If you have youth groups in your parish, invite her to go to meetings with you. Let her see the joy and happiness of other young people her own age about their faith. She will pick up on its vibrancy. So much can be done by a group of young people her own age showing enthusiastic love for their faith. Make this available to her. You will both be in my prayers.
Deacon Ed B.
Click to expand...
👍

Youth group is the answer…trust me on this. If you have a solid youth group your friend will get to see other practicing teens most likely. That’s what saved me in my teens.
 
Uknowhoo said:
Thank you for your help and prayers everyone 🙂

I’m a little hesitant about giving her a book (of any kind) because… well, she’s not the person who likes to read. She’s not very mature, still only about 14 or 15. I was thinking of giving her something from Lifeteen.com. You think that will do?

Please keep praying for both of us.
Thanks again and God bless every one of you 🙂
Click to expand...
Do get her to Youth Group with you. Invite her to Stations of the Cross, to Mass and to Confession - I suggest YOU read one of those books - it will arm you to speak to her with knowledge.

And pray for her, every day.
 
You said that you aren’t a very good Catholic. I’m guessing that means that you haven’t been going to mass very frequently or availing yourself of the sacraments. But it does sound like you are wishing now to do better. That’s very good. Start attending regularly. Get involved with the youth group yourself and take her along. Receive this new longing of yours as a gift from the Holy Spirit Himself. He does love you and wants to help you get to heaven. Take your younger friend along with you on this wonderful journey.

CDL
 
Uknowhoo said:
Hi everyone.

Im kinda in a pickle- Im a high school senior and today I was talking to a freshman about my faith. She’s also Catholic, but sadly only by name 😦

We spoke, and the poor thing didn’t even know what a rosary was. Worst of all- she’s studying with the Jehovah’s Witness. I tried explaining that she should stick with Catholicism, because it’s the Church Christ established. She didn’t say much, but later told me a bit of her life story.

When her mom found out she was studying with the JWs, she (mom) yelled at her. I told her that it wasn’t right for her mom to yell at her, but that I would understand her disappointment. She didnt say much about her dad, except that he lives in another city,.Right now my friend is living with her older sister- who’s pregnant with her 3rd child and was recently divorced.

As you can tell, her life has been harsh. I told her I’d make her a rosary (after explaining what it was, of course) and she smiled and said she’d love one.

Though it saddens me to think that she might join the JWs and will never know the truth 😦

I’d really like to help her, but how? Im planning to give her a guide on how to pray the rosary along with it. I don’t want to feel like im forcing my faith down her throat, so how can I approach this?

(To add to this, Im not the best Catholic example. I wouldn’t say im the worst either, but overall, I wouldn’t say im a good Catholic. I don’t want to be/sound like a hypocrite. Any advice?)

Sorry if it was a little long,
but thanks for reading this far and God bless!
Click to expand...
It sounds to me like you’re doing a great job as a Catholic in trying to guide this girl to the Church. What I would do is get her some basic information on the Church (a book for beginners or something that isn’t too lengthy, perhaps “Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth”) and let her read it and then ask her if she has any questions. If she does, that’s good because it means she has not yet made up her mind which I wouldn’t expect her to make up her mind about which church to attend this early. Also, and most importantly, pray for her!
 
Uknowhoo said:
Thank you for your help and prayers everyone 🙂

I’m a little hesitant about giving her a book (of any kind) because… well, she’s not the person who likes to read. She’s not very mature, still only about 14 or 15. I was thinking of giving her something from Lifeteen.com. You think that will do?

Please keep praying for both of us.
Thanks again and God bless every one of you 🙂
Click to expand...
I think a Lifeteen mass would go far in showing her that she’s already home. She is clearly searching for that which she thinks does not exists in the Catholic Church. She has probably not been confirmed, so ask her if she would consider confirmation classes. Your concern is well placed, since the JWs are an American invention, and will place her immortal soul at great risk. As a lover of Christ, none of us can allow this to happen. But she, being a young teen, is searching for a group to identify with. Some young teens go with Goths, some with Emo, and the lure of a cult that is also shunned by society has a certain attraction to it. This alone may very well be her motivation.

May the Holy Spirit teach you the words to speak to her. First thing to do is to pray for her, because the Holy Spirit is much more powerful than all of us combined.

Christ’s peace.
 
  1. Get the “talking to JWs” thing off Catholic Answers.
  2. Pray God will enable good men to wipe the JW’s off the face of the earth like He, in His Providence, eliminated the Cathars.
 
Deacon_Ed_B said:
On a personal note - invite your friend to go to Church with you. If you have youth groups in your parish, invite her to go to meetings with you. Let her see the joy and happiness of other young people her own age about their faith. She will pick up on its vibrancy. So much can be done by a group of young people her own age showing enthusiastic love for their faith. Make this available to her. You will both be in my prayers.
Deacon Ed B.
Click to expand...
I strongly urge you to follow Deacon Ed’s advice . Cool peers can touch the heart of a teen more than any book. Take her to a Catholic youth group.It may be great for both of you. I will keep both of you in my prayers.
 
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